Where art Thou Detail Groups?

Every day, our Ideate Software Support team fields all types of questions from AECO professionals all around the world. 

Find Hidden Detail Groups

An Ideate Software customer asked if they could find all hidden Detail Groups in the Revit model.


Finding Detail Groups that are hidden can be a tricky and challenging task, as they become invisible due to various reasons including:

  • Hidden by Element
  • Hidden by Category
  • Cropped by View

Identifying these hidden detail groups is crucial for maintaining an accurate BIM model. However, the challenge here is that there is no specific property (on the Detail Group) that will flag most of these conditions.


Fortunately, there is a helpful solution available within IdeateApps> Annotate that can assist in this process, although it may require some time to complete, which makes running it at the end of a work day ideal. 

The complexity of identifying hidden detail groups arises from the fact that there is no specific property directly associated with the detail group that indicates these hidden conditions, unlike some other elements in Revit that have explicit properties like visibility settings or design options. The view-specific cropping for detail groups for example do not possess such attributes. Consequently, locating hidden detail groups requires a more comprehensive approach.


To address this challenge, thanks to our wonderful development team, Ideate Annotate, part of the IdeateApps collection, offers a powerful tool that can help uncover hidden detail groups within your Revit model. By leveraging this tool, you can streamline the process and save valuable time. Here's how you can use it:


  1. Launch the May 2023 version of IdeateApps
  2. Open Ideate Annotate
  3. Select the Review tab
  4. Change the Display to “Entire Project”
  5. After it does the initial review, choose “Full Analysis” This is the part that potentially can take a long time.*
  6. When that's done, type “Detail Group” in the Search bar 
  7. Look for any Detail Groups listed under both issue types:
  • Hidden by Element – this includes any Detail Group that exists on a dependent view and is invisible due to the use of the right-click>Hide in View>Elements command.
  • Other Not Visible – this includes any other invisibility condition, including those caused by cropped views. 

8. Double click on each instance to open the view where they exist and decide which action to take: delete or change view crop


*After you complete the Full Analysis, the results can be saved and imported later for reviewing at another time. Learn more. 


Browse our website to learn more about how Ideate Software’s Revit add-ins help Revit users save time, increase model accuracy, improve deliverables, and elevate design.

  • What is a Named User license?

    A Named User license is assigned to one specific person rather than shared across a network. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see the Graitec Licensing Help Center - Named User.

  • Are Ideate Suites replacing Ideate Software Bundles?

    Yes. Going forward, Ideate Suites replace Ideate Software Bundles.

  • What's the difference between the Ideate Software Bundle and the Ideate Suite?

    Both include the same five tools: IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky and Ideate StyleManager. 


    • Bundle: Each tool is licensed separately, so different people can work in different tools at once. For example, with one Bundle, five people could each use a different tool at the same time.
    • Suite: One license covers all five tools for one person at a time. That person can move freely between every tool. While they're using the Suite, it isn't available to anyone else on that license until they finish.

    A Named User Suite is assigned to one specific person. A single Network Cloud Floating Suite can be shared across your team, one person at a time.


    Bundle to Suite Infographic


  • Will my team need more licenses?

    If several people on your team use different Ideate tools at the same time, you may need more than one Suite license. Contact us and we'll review your team's usage and help you choose the right setup.

  • Can I still buy an Ideate Software Bundle?

    No. Bundles are no longer available for purchase. New purchases are offered as follows:


    • Ideate Suite: Named User or Network Cloud Floating 
    • Enterprise Suite: Network Cloud Floating
    • Active Host: Network Cloud Floating
    • Automation: Network Cloud Floating
    • Individual products: Named User or Network Cloud Floating (IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky, and Ideate StyleManager)

  • Can I still buy IdeateApps, BIMLink, Explorer, Sticky, or StyleManager individually?

    Yes. Individual products are available as Named User or Cloud Floating licenses until the new product lineup launches with the next major release, expected mid-2027.

  • Will floating (network) licenses still be available?

    Yes. FlexLM remains available for organizations with security requirements, such as environments without internet access. FlexLM is not available through the online store, so please contact your account manager to purchase.

  • My organization has strict security requirements or no internet access. Can I still get a FlexLM license?

    Yes. FlexLM remains available for organizations with security requirements, such as environments without internet access. FlexLM is not available through the online store, so please contact your account manager to purchase.

  • I'm an existing customer. What happens to my current license/s?

    Your existing Ideate Software subscription is moving to our new licensing system at no cost. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.


    • Standalone licenses become Named User licenses. Set up your Named Users in the Graitec Advantage Portal.
    • Cloud Floating (network) licenses become Network Cloud Floating Suite licenses. Deploy the latest release as you have in the past, using the new license code in your migration email.
    • Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes an Ideate Suite.

    To keep using Ideate, update to the latest release and activate your new license by March 31, 2027. Older Ideate licenses will stop working in Q2 2027.


    Using Ideate with Revit 2022 or earlier? Contact ideatesupport@graitec.com to review your options. For account questions, contact sales@ideatesoftware.com.


  • I have a Bundle today. What will I receive when I move to the new licensing?

    Conversions are one for one. Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes one Ideate Suite, and each network Bundle becomes one Network Cloud Floating Suite. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.

  • Where do I manage my licenses?

    In the Graitec Advantage Portal. Based on customer requests, starting with the latest Ideate release, license management and license usage information are handled in Graitec Advantage, outside of Revit. We recommend bookmarking the portal.


    • Named User licenses: Assign licenses to people on your team in Graitec Advantage.
    • Cloud Floating Suite licenses: Deploy the latest release with your new license code as you have in the past, then manage licenses in Graitec Advantage.

    Watch the Graitec Advantage walkthrough


  • Can I transfer a Named User license to another person?

    Yes. There's no limit on the total number of transfers, but each license can be transferred up to two times within a 30-day period.

  • How are licenses issued?

    Each product on your order is issued as its own license once your order is processed. To try a product before buying, contact us to request an evaluation license.

  • I want to try the Graitec AI Assistant now, but I don’t have my new license code yet. What should I do?

    Existing customers: We’re delivering new license codes to existing subscribers on a rolling basis over the next few weeks. If you need access sooner, contact your Graitec sales representative.


    New customers: The Graitec AI Assistant isn’t available in the Ideate trial. Contact your Graitec sales representative to request an evaluation license or purchase a 6-month subscription.

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